4 comments:

If you've ever pulled out of your clipless pedals on a fixedwheel bike, then you wouldn't think adding double straps were overkill. You'll notice that it's pretty standard for trackies (as seen in the other photos posted) to run this set up.

I bet the last 30-40 seconds of the Tour produces similar power outputs in riders as short duration track riders..and the road at that speed seems to me far more dangerous than a track. Why not supply them with clipless too? Lets disregard the minimal weight penalty..

I guess in big pack riding situations, you don't want to bother with bending down and taking care of toe straps.. although I see your point in redundancy being safer. Also, in the old days, they raced with straps...

It's true that at the end of a stage the power output is prolly similar. The difference is that a road bike can coast, so if you pull the cleat out of the pedal, the bike will continue to move forward as your clipped foot will move to the bottom of the stroke under your weight and there is less (although it depends on the skill of the rider) of a chance of crashing.

On a track bike with a fixedgear that cannot coast, when you pull a cleat out of the pedal, the bike wants to stop abruptly when the clipped in foot comes to a stop at the bottom of the stroke and throws the rider forward as his mass is attempting to continue movement. In this situation there is almost no chance that the rider will not crash.

Also historically road riders were slow to adopt new technologies. It took a while for riders to move to clipless. Many riders continued to use clip and straps for the ability to adjust the tension as the day progressed, leaving them loose and then tightening them when the need arises. Similar to riders adjusting the straps and buckles on today's shoes for comfort or firmness.